General cigar questions

[jhedrick83]

There are sooooooo many cigars out there!!! And I'm talking, normal production sticks.
As said in the previous answers, sample, sample & sample some more!

You are going to find some that you like & others you don't. And as your palate matures, you will find that what you loved before you might not later.

When I first got serious I would read reviews (both "professionals" & other S/BOTL) and then try the cigar. Even just looking at the "what did you smoke today" thread and you will find others who have a similar palate. When you do, you will have a direction for your sampling. At least that worked for me.

Then when you get to storing sticks and you learn about resting & aging, things might change again!

Most important is to just try stuff!

Great advice. I would also add in that when you smoke cigars, as best you can pair it with water or a drink with little flavor, and take notes on the cigar as you smoke it. Flavors you are getting, evenness of burn line, draw, etc. Write a mini review just for yourself. It will really help you start to see what you like and dislike and you can compare that to the descriptions of the Wrapper/Binder/Filler so you can start to see what leaves bring what flavors. It can also help you find other cigars that you might like.

The discovery is half the fun!

[HabanoMan]

I would also add in that when you smoke cigars, as best you can pair it with water or a drink with little flavor, and take notes on the cigar as you smoke it.

Just to expand a little bit on this: Until you learn the nuances of the different flavors try just a touch of lemon or lime in your water. This will really help cleanse the palate which in turn will help you pinpoint any nuanced changes in flavors throughout the stick. While a great cigar and Scotch/Bourbon pairing is awesome it is really not the best for beginners since the alcohol can tend to overpower the subtleness of the tobacco.

The discovery is half the fun!

Hell, I would say it is more than half, at least in the beginning.

[jhedrick83]

Just to expand a little bit on this: Until you learn the nuances of the different flavors try just a touch of lemon or lime in your water. This will really help cleanse the palate which in turn will help you pinpoint any nuanced changes in flavors throughout the stick. While a great cigar and Scotch/Bourbon pairing is awesome it is really not the best for beginners since the alcohol can tend to overpower the subtleness of the tobacco.

Good point. I have never tried it but, I have heard club soda (if you like it) works great as well.

[Brimy]

Great advice. I would also add in that when you smoke cigars, as best you can pair it with water or a drink with little flavor, and take notes on the cigar as you smoke it. Flavors you are getting, evenness of burn line, draw, etc. Write a mini review just for yourself. It will really help you start to see what you like and dislike and you can compare that to the descriptions of the Wrapper/Binder/Filler so you can start to see what leaves bring what flavors. It can also help you find other cigars that you might like.

The discovery is half the fun!

So true!!

And IMO the environment (indoors vs outdoors) makes some difference.
On this note, smoking indoors alone vs smoking with folks who are smoking something different makes a difference too.
For me, there are a LOT of little nuances that affects the journey.